

3t& 



o 






UNITED STATES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 

RUPERT BLUE, Surgeon General 



HEIGHTS AND WEIGHTS OF CHILDREN 

CLASSIFICATION, BY AGE AND BY SANITATION, OF 

1,652 WHITE SCHOOL CHILDREN (771 BOYS, 

881 GIRLS) IN THE CITY OF X 



BY 

C. W. STILES 

Professor of Zoology 
AND 

GEORGE A. WHEELER 

Assistant Surgeon, United States Public Health Service 



REPRINT No. 303 

FROM THE 

PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS 

October 8, 1915 




WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1915 



Monograph 









*V 



ADDITIONAL COPIES 

OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE PROCURED FROM 

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DEC G 1315 



V, 



*: 



HEIGHTS AND WEIGHTS OF CHILDREN. 



CLASSIFICATION, BY AGE AND BY SANITATION, OF 1,652 WHITE SCHOOL CHILDREN 
(771 BOYS, 881 GIRLS) IN THE CITY OF X.i 

By C. W. Stiles, Professor of Zoology, and George A. Wheeler, Assistant Surgeon, United States 

Public Health Service. 

Of the children here considered, the minority lived at homes pro- 
vided with privies (Group P), the major portion at homes provided 
with sewers but not with privies (Group S). 

In two former articles 1 it has been shown that if these children are 
classified into these sanitary groups and compared as to their uncon- 
scious coprophagia and their school-grade advancement, the com- 
parisons are more favorable to Group S than to Group P. 

The question arises whether these same children, when classified 
into the same groups (P and S) and compared as to their heights and 
weights, show any differences in the two sanitary groups, and if so, 
what these differences are. 

This inquiry is one purely as to fact. The explanation of the facts 
is a very complicated matter, involving questions of sociology, 
physiology, pathology, heredity, etc. 

Most of the studies on children have been conducted in localities 
other than the Southern States. On this account, when an author 
desires to study any given condition in southern children he is 
usually obliged to use standards based upon children studied in the 
North or in Europe. When comparing cases of infection, such 
comparison is likely to be misleading, and on this account an attempt 
is made here to add a short contribution to the standardization of 
southern children that may be used in future work. 

> For other articles on the city of X, see Public Health Reports, 1915, as follows: Difficulties in obtaining 
ages, v. 30 (5), Jan. 29, pp. 310-311; Zooparasitic intestinal infections, v. 30 (27), July 2, pp. 1991-2002; 
School grades, v. 30 (28), July 9, 2060-2067; Tobacco and snufl, v. 30 (40), Oct. 1, 1915, pp. 2926-2928. 

Reprint from the P. H. R., vol. 30, No. 41, Oct. 8, 1915. 

11738°— 15 3 



HEIGHTS AND WEIGHTS OF CHILDREN. 



Table 1. — Average, minimum, and maximum heights and weights of 765 to 771 white 
boys, 6 to 17.75 years old, inclusive, of the city of X, summarized by total year periods 
and by sanitary groups. 

P= children from homes provided with a privy; S= children from homes with sewer connection, but 
without a privy; U=home sanitation unknown; T=total of P, S, and U.] 





Height, in inches. 


Weight, in pounds. 


Age. 


Standing, 771 boys. 


Sitting, 765 boys. 


768 boys. 




Num- 
ber of 
Dupils. 


Aver- 
age. 


Mini- 
mum. 


Maxi- 
mum. 


Num- 
ber of 
pupils. 


Aver- 
age. 


Mini- 
mum. 


Maxi- 
mum. 


Num- , 
ber -? f : ago 

pupils.; dBe ' 


Mini- 
mum. 


Maxi- 
mum. 


6 S 


26 

7 

1 


44.20 
44.21 
48.50 


35.75 
42.00 
48.50 


56.00 

48.00 
48.50 


24 
6 
1 


24.56 
25.00 
24.50 


23.25 
24.00 
24.50 


26.00 
26.50 
24.50 


26 
6 
1 


43.43 
48.08 
50.25 


30.25 
43.50 
50.25 


58. 25 


6 P 


55. 75 


6 U 


50.25 










T 


34 


44.33 


35.75 | 


56.00 


31 


24.65 


23.25 


26.50 


33 44.50 


30.25 


58.25 


7 S 


58 
15 
3 


47.05 
47.13 
46.58 


34.50 
43.50 
45.50 


55.50 
56.25 
48.25 


57 
15 
3 


25.65 
25.48 
25.42 


23.00 
23.75 
25.00 


29.25 
31.00 
26.00 


57 50. 10 
15 ' 50. 03 
3 ; 52.67 


38.25 
42.50 
46.00 


64.00 


7 p 


61.50 


7 U 


61.00 






T 


76 


47.05 


34.50 


56.25 


75 


25.61 


23.00 


31.00 


75 50. 19 


38.25 


64.00 


8 S 


62 
15 
3 


48.40 
49.35 
46.92 


43.00 
43.50 
43.50 


53.50 
57.00 
52.25 


62 
15 
3 


26. 12 

26.47 
25.33 


23.50 
24.00 
23.50 


29.50 
28.50 
28.25 


62 u 54. 42 
15 ! 54.63 
3 50.67 


38.25 
44. 75 
40.00 


74.00 


8 P 


70.00 


8 U 


62.00 






T 


80 


48.52 


43.00 


57.00 


80 


26.16 


23.50 


29.50 


80 | 54.32 


38.25 


74.00 


9 S 


76 
12 

5 


50.24 
49.52 
50.25 


45.25 
47.00 
46.50 


58.25 
52.00 
54.00 


76 
12 
5 


26.87 
26.85 
27.30 


23. 75 I 30. 25 


76 | 57.56 
12 57.95 
5 59.90 


38.25 
52.50 
44.00 


89.00 


9 P 


25.25 
24.50 


27.75 
29.00 


63.00 


9 U 


73.00 






T 


93 


50.15 


45.25 


58.25 


93 


26.89 


23.75 


30.25 


93 ' 57.74 


3S.25 


89.00 


10 S 


80 
13 
9 


52.28 
51.69 
52.36 


45.00 

48.75 
48.00 


57.50 
54.00 
59.25 


80 
12 
9 


27.93 
27.65 
27.44 


22.50 
24.75 
25.00 


38. 50 
29.25 
31. 00 


79 1 64.93 
12 ! 59.92 
9 64.92 


49.00 
49.00 
49.50 


110. 50 


10 P 


72. 50 


10 u 


85.50 






T 


102 


52.22 


45.00 


59.25 


101 


27.86 


22.50 


38.50 


100 ; 64.32 


49.00 


110. 50 


11 S 


58 

20 

5 


53. 74 
53.47 
53.75 


49.75 
50.50 
51.00 


64.00 
57.75 
55. 75 


58 

20 

5 


27.98 
28.21 
27.90 


24.00 
27.00 
26.00 


33.50 
30.50 
29.25 


59 j 69.67 

20 ! 68.02 

5 | 72.75 


49.00 
59.00 
66.25 


105.00 


11 P 


81.00 


11 U 


86.00 






T 


83 


53.68 


49.75 


64.00 


83 


28.04 


24.00 


33.50 


84 69.46 


49.00 


105.00 


12 S 


53 
14 
9 


55.81 
56.00 
56.94 


50.50 
49.75 
52.00 


62.00 
62.00 
65.50 


53 
13 
9 


28. 86 26. 00 


32.50 
33.25 
34.50 


53 1 77.76 
13 75.34 
9 96.02 


57.75 
55.00 
59.50 


127.50 


12 P 


29.10 
30.22 


25.75 
27.00 


104. 00 


12 U 


126. 50 






T 


76 


55.98 


49.75 


65.50 


75 


29.06 


25.75 


34.50 


75 79.53 


55.00 


127. 50 


13 S 


57 
9 
3 


58.12 
57.69 
63.33 


49.00 
53.50 
59.00 


67.75 
61.00 
68.75 


57 
9 
3 


30.46 
30.92 
32.67 


27.50 
29.00 
29.25 


34.50 
33.00 
35.75 


57 1 85.93 
9 86.50 
3 114.08 


61.25 
69.00 
81.00 


123. 50 


13 P 


97.00 


13 U 


142.00 






T 


69 


58.29 

59.64 
59.81 
60.59 


49.00 


68.75 


69 


30.62 


27.50 


35.75 


69 87.23 


61.25 


142.00 


14 S 


38 
4 
8 


53.25 
53.75 
57.25 


67.00 
65.50 
67.50 


38 
4 
8 


31.12 
31. 25 
31.22 


27.50 
28.00 
29.00 


34.00 
34.00 
36.00 


38 1 92. 57 
4 96.31 
8 96. 75 


67.50 
68.50 
71.50 


127. 50 


14 P 


124. 50 


14 U 


154.00 






T 


50 


59.81 


53.25 


67.50 


50 


31.15 


27.50 


36.00 


50 93. 54 


67.50 


154.00 


15 S 


41 
4 
10 


62.79 
59.88 
63.08 


54.00 
56.00 
57.75 


70.25 
65.00 
69.00 


41 


32.70 


27.50 


36.00 


41 


110. 45 


78.50 


164.00 


15 P 


4 
10 


31. 50 
32.25 


28.25 
30.00 


34.25 
35.75 


4 
10 


93.81 
109.45 


79.00 
80.00 


111.75 


15 U 


166. 75 






T 


55 


62.63 


54.00 


70. 25 


55 


32.53 


27. 50 


36.00 


55 


109.06 


78. 50 


166. 75 


16 S 


31 
2 
3 


fil.N.-, 

63. 88 
61.00 


57.00 
62. 50 
59.00 


69.50 
65. 25 
64.00 


31 
2 
3 


33.80 
33.00 
31.50 


29.50 
32.00 
30.25 


43. 50 
34.00 
33.25 


32 
2 
3 


110.35 
110. 00 
97.00 


77. 50 
105.00 
88.00 


142.75 


16 P 


115.00 


16 U 


105. 50 






T 


36 


64.48 


57.00 


69.50 


36 


33.56 


29.50 


43.50 


37 


109.25 


77. 50 


142. 75 


17 S 


13 
2 
2 


66.60 
66. 38 
65. 50 


62.75 
65.75 
63.50 


70.00 
67.00 
67.50 


13 
2 
2 


34.75 
35.00 
34.88 


32.1)0 
34. .50 
34.00 


39.50 
35. 50 
35.75 


13 
2 
2 


125. 27 
129.37 
131.75 


92. 50 
121.00 
125. 00 


166.00 


17 p 


137. 75 


17 U 


138. 50 






T 


17 


66.44 


62.75 


70.00 


17 


34.79 


32.00 


39.50 


17 


126. 51 


92.50 


166.00 



HEIGHTS AND WEIGHTS OF CHILDREN. 



Table 2. — Average, minimum, and maximum heights and weights of 877 to 881 white 
girls, 6 to 17.75 years old, inclusive, of the city of X, summarized by total year periods 
and by sanitary groups. 

[P=children from homes provided with a privy; S=children from homes with sewer connection but 
without a privy; U=home sanitation unknown; T=total of P, S, and U.j 





Height 


m inches. 


Weight in pounds. 


Age. 


Standing, 881 girls. 


Sitting, 879 girls. 


877 girls. 




Num- 
ber of 
pupils 


Aver- 
age. 


Mini- 
mum. 


Maxi- 
mum. 


Num- 
ber of 
pupils 


Aver- 
age. 


Mini- 
mum. 


Maxi- 
mum. 


Num- 
ber of 
pupils 


Aver- 
age. 


Mini- 
mum. 


Maxi- 
mum. 


6 S 


31 
6 
1 


45.22 
45.50 
43.50 


42.00 
42.00 
43.50 


58.50 
49.00 
43.50 


31 
5 
1 


24.50 
23.45 
24.00 


22.00 
23.00 
24.00 


27.50 
24.25 
24.00 


30 
5 
1 


44.88 
45.35 
43.50 


35.50 
39.25 
43.50 


62.50 

48.75 
43.50 


6 P 


6 U 




T 


38 


45.22 


42.00 


58.50 


37 


24.34 


22.00 


27.50 


36 


44.90 


35.50 


62.50 


7 S 


44 
15 

4 


46.79 
46.58 
45.44 


40.75 
43.00 
43.50 


56.00 
49.50 
48.00 


44 
15 
4 


25.35 
25.40 
24.57 


22.25 
22.25 
23.25 


28.00 
29.25 
26.25 


44 
15 

4 


48.85 
51.30 
44.31 


38.00 
43.25 
43.75 


70.75 
65.00 
44.50 


7 P 


7 U 




T 


63 


46. 80 


40.75 


56.00 


63 


25.31 


22.25 


29.25 


63 


49.15 


38.00 


70.75 


8 S 


50 
13 
2 


48. 81 
47.33 
48.88 


44.00 
45.00 

48.25 


57.00 
50.25 
49.50 


50 
13 
2 


26.00 
25.35 
27.00 


22.50 
24.00 
26.50 


29.25 
27.00 
27.50 


49 
13 
2 


53.34 
49.51 
55.37 


40.25 
44.25 
54.75 


78.25 
57.00 
56.00 


8 P 


8 U.... 




T 


65 


48.52 


44.00 


57.00 


65 


25. 90 


22.50 


29.25 


64 


52.62 


40.25 


78.25 


9 S 


54 

25 

4 


50.36 

48.78 
48.88 


46.00 
47.00 
48.25 


56.50 
58.00 
49.50 


54 
25 

4 


26.67 
26.90 
25.50 


24.00 
25.00 
25.00 


29.00 
30.00 
26.25 


54 
25 
4 


58.47 
57.04 
62.50 


43.00 
42.00 
50.50 


79.50 
79.50 
86.00 


9 P 


9 U 




T 


83 


49.81 


46.00 


58.00 


83 


26.68 


24.00 


30.00 


83 


58.23 


42.00 


86.00 


10 S 


74 
21 
3 


52.05 
51.54 
51.92 


48.00 
48.00 
49.50 


59.25 
54.75 
55.00 


73 
21 
3 


28.05 
27.64 
27.42 


23.75 
26.00 
26.00 


32.00 
29.50 
28.75 


74 
21 
3 


64.33 
62.78 
64.08 


46.00 
45.50 
55.00 


100. 25 
92.25 
69.25 


10 P 


10 U 




T 


98 


51.93 


48.00 


59.25 


97 


27.95 


23.75 


32.00 


98 


63.99 


45.50 


100. 25 


11 S 


63 
21 
3 


54.34 
52.75 
55.33 


42.50 
48.25 
53.00 


61.25 
58.75 
58.50 


63 
21 
3 


28.61 
27.92 
29.17 


23.50 
25.50 
28.00 


32.50 
31.25 
30.50 


62 
21 
3 


70.60 
69.46 
98.17 


49.50 
53.50 
66.00 


113.00 

94.50 
157.00 


11 P 


11 TJ.... 




T 


87 


53.99 


42.50 


61.25 


87 


28.46 


23.50 


32.50 


86 


71.28 


49.50 


157. 00 


12 S 


62 
17 

4 


56.67 
56.35 
56.56 


50.75 
49.50 
53.50 


62.75 
57.25 
58.25 


62 
17 
4 


29.75 
29.82 
29.69 


26.00 
26.25 
29.00 


41.00 
32.00 
30.25 


61 
18 
4 


82.47 
89.94 
83.87 


56.75 
49.00 
66.50 




12 P 




12 U 


103 00 






T 


83 


56.60 


49.50 


62.75 


83 


29.77 


26.00 


41.00 


83 


84.16 


49.00 


156. 00 


13 S 


74 
16 
2 


60.14 
59.09 
60.25 


51.00 

54.75 
58.50 


68.00 
62.00 
62.00 


74 
16 
2 


31.78 
30.94 
31.13 


28.25 
26.50 
30.25 


35.75 
33.00 
32.00 


74 
16 
2 


96.50 
91.20 
103.25 


60.50 
65.75 
85.50 


154 00 


13 P 


115 00 


13 U 


121 00 






T 


92 


59.96 


51.00 


68.00 


92 


31.62 


26.50 


35.75 


92 


95.72 


60.50 


154.00 


14 S 


65 
20 

7 


60.12 
60.56 
61.21 


53.75 
54.00 
57.50 


66.00 
68.50 
65.75 


65 
20 

7 


31.58 
31.88 
32.03 


26.00 
30.00 
29.50 


36.50 
34.25 
36.00 


65 
20 

7 


98.30 
95.39 
111. 75 


66.50 
67.50 
77.50 


139 75 


14 P 


130 00 


14 U 


192 25 






T 


92 


60.29 


53.75 


68.50 


92 


31.67 


26.00 


36.50 


92 


98.69 


66.50 


192. 25 


15 S 


58 
15 
1 


61.77 
61.15 
66.25 


53.50 
56.00 
66.25 


66.50 
63.50 
66.25 


58 
15 
1 


32.66 
32. 52 
35.00 


27.25 
30.75 
35. 00 


35.00 
34.00 
35. 00 


58 

15 

1 


108.64 
107. 45 
137. 50 


83. 00 
89.00 
137.50 


146 00 


15 P 


179 50 


15 U 


137.50 






T 


74 


61.71 


53.50 


66.50 


74 


32.81 


27.25 


35.00 


74 


108. 79 


83.00 


179. 50 


16 S 


62 
6 
5 


62.50 
62.12 
61.20 


56.75 
59.25 
56.25 


68.50 
64.50 
64.50 


62 
6 
5 


33.08 
32.50 
33.20 


25.50 
29.00 
31.50 


46.00 
33.75 
35.00 


62 
6 
5 


112. 53 
111.58 
106. 15 


82.75 
92.00 
98.50 


141 00 


16 P 


144 25 


16 U 


122. 50 






T 


73 


62.38 


56.25 


68.50 


73 


33.04 


25.50 


46.00 


73 


112.01 


82.75 


144.25 


17 S 


29 
2 
2 


62.81 
62.88 
62.13 


56.75 
62.00 
60.00 


69.50 
63.75 
64.25 


29 
2 
2 


33.68 
33.00 
33.25 


31.25 
33.00 
32.50 


36.50 
33.00 
34.00 


29 
2 
2 


116. 28 
111.00 
108. 50 


82.50 
L10.00 
01.00 


157. 25 


17 P 


112. 00 


17 U 


116.00 






T 


33 


62.77 56.75 


69.50 


33 


33.62 


3125 


36.50 


33 


115.49 


82. 50 


157. 25 



6 HEIGHTS AND WEIGHTS OF CHILDEEN. 

Age groups. — The tests were begun on January 7 and continued 
every school day until April 6, inclusive. On January 7 all of the 
available white school children in the city whose birthday was Jan- 
uary 7, April 7, July 7, or October 7 were brought to the high school 
assembly hall and were given certain mental and physical tests; on 
each succeeding day for three months the same plan was followed 
except that children whose birthday anniversary came on Saturday 
were tested on Friday and those whose birthday anniversary came 
on Sunday were tested on Monday; further, also, some slight irregu- 
larities of date were introduced because of school examination days, 
temporary absence from school, and unusually stormy weather. 
These variations, rarely, if ever, exceeded 72 hours. Accordingly, 
the children automatically fell into quarter-year groups, and all of 
the children of a given group were of the same age to a day. For 
instance, all 10-year-old children were 10 years flat, 10.25, 10.50, or 
10.75 years old to the day, and the tests agree to the day or almost 
to the day. This plan naturally gave very exact groups, but in 
some instances it reduced the individuals of certain groups to small 
numbers. 

A large number of the children had to be rejected from the final 
summaries because it was impossible to obtain their birthday 1 and 
birth year, hence it was impossible to determine their exact age 
group. 

Heights were taken in stocking feet (without shoes) to the nearest 
I inch. Weights were taken with clothes, but without coats or 
shoes. 

White Boys. 

STANDING HEIGHT. 

Of 1,189 white school boys, 6 years flat to 17.75 years old, inclusive, 
data in standing height are available for 771; 593 of these belong 
to Group S (from homes with sewers but without privies), 117 to 
Group P (from homes with privies), and 61 to Group U (sanitation 
unknown) . 

Taking the totals for each year age (as 6 flat to 6.75 = 6 years 
old, etc.) the minimum, maximum, and average heights may be 
seen from Table 1 . If these results are plotted on a diagram (chart 
1), it is seen that there is a fairly uniform increase in standing height, 
year by year, but there is a distinct decrease of the increase at 11, 
and a much less distinct decrease of the increase at 14. 

In comparing Groups P and S the following results are obtained: 

Average standing height jor total year periods. — In 7 total year 
periods (9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, and 17 years) the boys of Group S 

i Difficulties in Obtaining Ages. Public Health Reports, vol. 30, No. 5, Jan. 29, 1915, pp. 310-311. 



HEIGHTS AND WEIGHTS OP CHILDREN". 7 

had an average height greater than that shown in the corresponding 
boys of Group P. 

In 5 total year periods (6, 7, 8, 12, and 14 years) the boys of Group 
P had an average height greater than that shown in the correspond- 
ing boys of Group S. 

Average standing height for quarter-year periods. — If the quarter- 
year periods are compared, the units are reduced to very small 
numbers in some groups, hence the element of chance is greatly 
increased, but the results are as follows: 

In 24 quarter-year, periods, the boys of Group S had an average 
height greater than that of the corresponding boys of Group P, 
while in 14 periods the boys of Group P had a greater average height 
than the corresponding boys of Group S; in one period they were 
equal for S and P; and in 9 periods no comparison could be made 
as there was no boy of Group P for these ages. 

SITTING HEIGHT. 

Sitting height was obtained for 765 boys, of whom 590 belonged to 
Group S, 114 to Group P, and 61 to Group U. 

The curve (chart 1) for sitting heights shows a very marked 
decrease of the increase at 11, corresponding to, but more marked 
than, the decrease of the increase in the standing height for the same 
period. There is also a clear decrease of the increase at 14, corre- 
sponding to, but slightly more marked than, the decrease of the 
increase in the standing height for the same period. From 14 to 17 
the increase is fairly uniform, and almost parallel to the standing 
height. 

Average sitting height for total year periods. — In 5 total year periods 
(namely, 7, 9, 10, 15, and 16 years) the average sitting height of 
Group S excelled that of Group P, and in 7 total year periods (namely, 
6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 17 years) the average in Group P excelled 
that of Group S. 

In 4 total year periods (9, 10, 15, and 16 years) Group S excelled 
both in sitting height and in standing height, while in 4 other year 
periods (6, 8, 12, and 14 years) Group P excelled in both sitting and 
standing height. 

Average sitting height for quarter year periods. — In 16 quarter year 
periods Group S excelled in average sitting height; in 22 quarter 
year periods Group P excelled; in 10 periods no comparison could 
be made. 

WEIGHTS. 

Weights were obtained for 768 boys, of whom 593 belonged in 
Group S, 114 in Group P, and 61 in Group U. 

The curve (chart 1) in weights is less uniform from 6 to 9 than from 
9 to 15; at 16 there is a sudden and very marked decrease of the 



8 HEIGHTS AND WEIGHTS OF CHILDREN. 

increase similar to the decrease of the increase in height and weight 
in girls at 14; at 15 and at 17 the increase is striking. 

Average weights for total year periods. — In 6 total year periods 
(namely, 7, 10, 11, 12, 15, and 16 years), the average weight in Group 
S excelled that of Group P, and in 6 total year periods (namely, 6, 
8, 9, 13, 14, and 17 years) the average in Group P excelled that of 
Group S. Some of the differences are very slight, and the conclusion 
appears to be that the boys of Groups P and S showed no essential 
differences in average weight. 

Average weights for quarter year periods. — In.20 quarterly periods 
the average weight of Group S exceeded that of Group P; in 18 periods 
the average weight of Group P exceeded that of Group S; and in 10 
periods no comparisons could be made. 

White Girls. 

STANDING HEIGHTS. 

Of 1,259 girls, standing heights were obtained for 881, of whom 666 
belonged to Group S, 177 to Group P, and 38 to Group U. 

The increase is fairly uniform, year by year, up to the period at 14, 
when there is a very marked decrease of the increase; from 15 to 17 
the increase is much less than prior to 13. 

Average standing height for total year periods. — In 9 total year 
groups (namely, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, and 16 years) the average 
standing height of Group S excelled that of Group P, and in 3 total 
year periods (namely, 6, 14, and 17 years) the average standing 
height of Group P excelled that of Group S. 

Average standing height for quarter year periods. — In 32 quarter year 
periods the average height of Group S exceeded that of Group P; in 
12 periods the average height in Group P exceeded that of Group S; 
and in 4 periods no comparison could be made. 

SITTING HEIGHTS. 

Sitting heights were obtained for 879 girls, 665 of whom belong to 
Group S, 176 to Group P, and 38 to Group U. 

There is a decrease of the increase at 11, less marked than, but cor- 
responding to, the decrease of the increase in the boys for the same 
period; there is a sudden and very marked decrease of the increase 
at 14, corresponding to and nearly paralleling the decrease of the 
increase in the standing height of the girls for the same period; from 
14 to 17 the increase is less marked and less uniform than that of the 
boys for the same period and out of all proportion to the increase in 
standing height for the girls for the same period. 

Average sitting heights for total year periods. — In 8 total year periods 
(namely, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, and 17 years), the average sitting 



HEIGHTS AND WEIGHTS OF CHILDREN. 9 

height of Group S exceeded that of Group P and in 4 periods (namely, 
7, 9, 12, and 14 years), the average sitting height for Group P exceeded 
that of Group S. 

Average sitting height for quarter-year periods. — In 30 periods the 
average sitting height of Group S exceeded that of Group P; in 12 
periods the average sitting height of Group P exceeded that of Group 
S; in one period the average sitting height was equal in both groups; 
and for 5 periods no comparison could be made. 



Weights were obtained for 877 girls, of whom 662 belonged to 
Group S, 177 in Group P, and 38 in Group U. 

The most marked irregularity in the curve is the decrease of the 
increase at 14, corresponding to the decrease of the increase in sitting 
and standing height in girls for this same period; at 15 the increase 
is less marked, and at 16 more marked, than in the boys. 

Average weight for total year periods. — In 9 total year periods 
(namely, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 years) the average weight 
in Group S excelled that of Group P and in 3 total year periods 
(6, 7, and 12 years) the average weight in Group P exceeded that of 
Group S. It would therefore appear that in the case of the girls the 
weight development at sewered homes was better than that at homes 
provided with a privy, although in some instances the differences 
were not very marked. 

Average weight for quarter-year periods. — In 28 periods the average 
weight in Group S exceeded that of Group P; in 16 periods the 
average weight of Group P exceeded that of Group S; and in 4 periods 
no comparison could be made. 

Comparison of Boys and Girls. 

STANDING HEIGHT. 

On chart 1 it is seen that the girls of 6 years averaged nearly an 
inch taller than the boys; at 7, 8, and 9 the boys and girls were prac- 
tically equal, though there was a very slight difference in favor of the 
boys; at 10 the boys were distinctly taller; from 10 to 13, inclusive, 
the girls grew more rapidly and exceeded the boys in height for 11, 
12, and especially for 13; from 13 to 17, and especially from 14 to 17, 
the growth of the boys exceeded that of the girls. 

Sudden irregularities in curves. — The most striking irregularity in 
the curves is found in the girls at 14; there is a corrresponding but 
less pronounced irregularity in the boys at 14. 

There is a perceptible irregularity in the boys' curve at 11, which 
does not show in the girls. 



10 



HEIGHTS AND WEIGHTS OF CHILDREN. 



Age — 6 7 8 9 io m IZ 13 K 15 l6 17 


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Chart 1.— Average height (standing and sitting) and weight of 1,642 to 1,652 
•white school children (76o to 771 boys, J , 877 to 881 girls, ? ) plotted by total 
year periods 6 to 17, inclusive. The scale for sitting height is double that for 
standing height. Height is given in inches, weight in pounds. Prepared from 
Tables 1 and 2. 



HEIGHTS AND WEIGHTS OF CHILDBEN. 



11 



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Chaet 2.— Average height (standing and sitting) and weight of 765 to 771 white 
boys plotted by total year periods 6 to 17, inclusive. The scale for sitting 
height is doubie that for standing height. Height is given in inches, weight in 
pounds. Prepared from Table 1. 



12 HEIGHTS AND WEIGHTS OF CHILDREN. 



SITTING HEIGHT. 



In sitting height the boys excelled the girls from 6 to 9 inclusive; at 
10 the boys and girls were practically equal, but there was a very 
slight difference in favor of the girls; following this point, the growth 
in sitting height of girls was distinctly greater than among boys for 
11, 12, and 13, and the girls show a greater sitting height than the 
boys for these periods; beginning with 13, the boys grew more rapidly 
and while the girls still had a greater sitting height at 14 and 15, the 
boys excelled at 16 and 17. 

Sudden irregularities in curves. — The most pronounced irregularity 
in curve is shown in girls at 14, when there was almost a total cessa- 
tion of growth in sitting height; this corresponded to the decrease of 
the increase in standing height of girls; there was a corresponding but 
less pronounced decrease of the increase hi boys at 14. 

At 11 there was a pronounced decrease of the increase in boys, 
corresponding to the decrease of the increase in standing height of the 
same boys. 

WEIGHT. 

The difference between the boys and girls from 6 to 10 is slight and 
irregular; from 11 to 14 the girls are heavier than the boys; at 15 they 
are practically equal; at 16 the girls are heavier, and at 17 the boys are 
heavier. 

Sudden irregularities in curves. — There is a marked irregularity in 
the curve at 14 in the girls, corresponding to the decrease of the in- 
crease in sitting and standing height. 

There is a perceptible irregularity for boys at 1 1 corresponding to 
the decrease of the increase in sitting and standing heights in boys. 

The most marked irregularity is in boys at 16, when the increase in 
weight was almost insignificant. 

Cases of Intestinal Infections. 

STANDING HEIGHTS. 

Necator. — In 30 cases (23 boys, 7 girls), pupils showing hookworm 
infection were shorter than the average for their respective groups, 
and in 21 cases (16 boys, 5 girls), they were above the average. 

Ascaris. — In 19 cases (16 boys, 3 girls), pupils showing Ascaris 
infection were shorter than the average for their, respective groups 
and in 20 cases (16 boys, 4 girls) they were above the average. 

Tricliuris. — In 11 cases (10 boys, 1 girl), pupils showing whip- 
worm infection, were below the average for their respective groups, 
and in 4 cases (boys) they were above the average. 

Lamblia. — In 32 cases (26 boys, 6 girls), pupils showing Lamblia 
infection were below the average for their respective groups, and in 
37 cases (30 boys, 7 girls) they were above the average. 



HEIGHTS AND WEIGHTS OF CHILDREN. 



13 



AGE h 7 A 9 10 II 12- 15 14- 15 16 17 


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Chart 3.— Average height (standing and sitting) and weight of 877 to 881 white 
girls, plotted by total year periods 6 to 17 inclusive. The scale for sitting height 
is double that for standing height. Height is given in inches, weight in pounds. 
Prepared from Table 2. 



14 HEIGHTS AND WEIGHTS OF CHILDREN. 

Endamseba coli. — In 20 cases (17 boys, 3 girls) pupils were below the 
average for their respective groups, and in 32 cases (22 boys, 10 girls) 
they were above the average. 

Conclusion. — It seems apparent that in the case of Ascaris^ 
Lamblia, and Endamseba coli these figures do not present any evidence 
of a general retardation in growth. 

The figures presented for hookworms, when taken into consideration 
with general experience with this infection, seem to indicate that 
even the relatively light infections with which we were dealing may 
account for a portion of the undersize. 

The figures for whipworms are a distinct surprise, for it is difficult 
to believe that these parasites, especially in such light infections as 
were present, could be held accountable for the preponderance of 
subaverage size in so high a percentage of cases. 

SITTING HEIGHT. 

Necator: In 35 cases (21 boys, 14 girls), children showing hook- 
worm infection were shorter than the average of their respective 
groups, and in 25 cases (19 boys, 6 girls) they were above the average. 

Ascaris: In 20 cases (16 boys, 4 girls), children showing infection 
with Ascaris were shorter than the average of their respective groups, 
and in 26 cases (22 boys, 4 girls) they were above the average. 

Trichuris: In 5 cases (4 boys, 1 girl), pupils showing infection with 
whipworms were shorter than the average of their respective groups, 
and in 3 cases (boys) they were above the average. 

Lamblia: In 35 cases (23 boys, 12 girls), pupils showing infection 
with Lamblia were shorter than the average of their respective groups, 
and in 37 cases (30 boys, 7 girls) they were above the average. 

Endamseba coli: In 29 cases (22 boys, 7 girls), pupils showing infec- 
tion with E. coli were shorter than the average of their respective 
groups, and in 28 cases (18 boys, 10 girls) they were above the 
average. 

Conclusion. — In the case of Ascaris, Lamblia,, and Endamseba coli, 
no evidence was obtained that these parasites cause a decrease in 
sitting height in the average case. In hookworm infection, the evi- 
dence points to a decrease in sitting height. In whipworm infection 
the figures are too small to be trustworthy. 

WEIGHTS. 

Necator: In 26 cases (18 boys, 8 girls), pupils infected with hook- 
worms weighed less than the average of their respective groups, and 
in 22 cases (15 boys, 7 girls) they weighed more than the average. 

Ascaris: In 17 cases (13 boys, 4 girls), pupils infected with Ascaris 
weighed less than the average of their respective groups, and in 25 
cases (21 boys, 4 girls) they weighed more than the average. 



HEIGHTS AND WEIGHTS OF CHILDREN. 15 

Trichuris: In 5 cases (boys), pupils infected with whipworms 
weighed less than the average of their respective groups, and in 2 
cases (boys) they weighed more than the average. 

LamUia: In 33 cases (25 boys, 8 girls) pupils infected with Lamhlia 
weighed less than the average of their respective groups, and in 39 
cases (28 boys, 11 girls) they weighed more than the average. 

Endamseba coli: In 27 cases (19 boys, 8 girls), pupils infected with 
E. coli weighed less than the average for their respective groups, and 
in 29 cases (20 boys, 9 girls) they weighed more than the average. 

Conclusion. — The evidence available from these data indicates that 
Ascaris, Endamseba coli, and Lamhlia apparently did not act detri- 
mentally upon the weights of the children. 

Hookworms may perhaps have been a detrimental factor in weights, 
but the infections were light and the average detrimental effect was 
apparenrly not great. 

The whipworm infections are rather few in number to be used as 
basis for conclusions. 

General Conclusions and Summary. 

The children included in these studies are white school children, 
nearly all American and southern born, and all attending school 
in the southern city of X, which is situated in the sandy coastal 
plain. The results obtained are not to be used as standards for the 
clay lands or the mountains, nor should the}^ be used^ as standards 
for farm children in the sand areas. 

The heights and weights were taken for quarter-year periods, and 
all children of a given quarterly group (as 6.00, 6.25, 6.50, and 6.75) 
are of the same age to the day. There is a slight variation of the date 
on which these measurements were taken, in some instances, but this 
rarely, if ever, exceeded 72 hours and therefore may safely be ignored. 

All quarter-year groups are summarized into total year groups; 
for instance, the children of 6.00, 6.25, 6.50, and 6.75 years are sum- 
marized into the 6-year group. A comparison between 6 and 7 
includes, therefore, all the children from 6.00 to 6.75, inclusive, as 
compared with all the children from 7.00 to 7.75, inclusive. 

Heights (standing and sitting) and weights were taken for 1,642 to 
1,652 pupils (765 to 771 boys, 877 to 881 girls) from 6.00 to 17.75, 
inclusive. In addition to age groups these children are compared 
by sanitary groups (P, from homes with privy; S, from homes with 
sewers, but without privies; U, from homes of unknown sanitation). 

Proportion of sitting and standing height. — In general the sitting 
height is a little more than one-half of the standing height, but in 
girls from 13 to 17, inclusive, it is considerably more than one-half of 
the standing height. 

Interruptions in growth. — The children showed two rather striking 
interruptions in growth. At 11 there is a rather striking decrease 



16 



HEIGHTS AND WEIGHTS OF CHILDRE 



of the increase in the standing height, sitting heigl 029 483 249 
boys and a less marked decrease of the increase in the sitting height 
of the girls. 

At 14 there is a sudden and very pronounced decrease of the 
increase in the standing height, sitting height, and weight of girls. 
In this connection it is rather suggestive that these girls average their 
first menstruation at 13.2 years of age. 

The change in growth of boys at this age is much less striking. At 16 
there is a marked interruption in the increase of weight among the boys. 

Comparison of boys and girls. — In the total year periods 6 to 13 
Ihere is no constant and uniform difference in growth between boys 
and girls; in some of these periods the boys excel and in others the 
girls excel; but from 13 to 17 the growth of the boys is in general 
far in excess of that of the girls; this difference is especially marked 
at 17 years. 

Sanitary groups. — Of 24 total year periods (12 of boys, 12 of girls) 
Group S excelled in standing height hi 16 periods, Group P in 8 
periods; in sitting height, Group S excelled in 13 periods, Group P 
in 11 periods; in weight, Group S excelled in 15 periods, Group P 
in 9 periods. 

Accordingly, the children from homes with better sanitation 
excelled in a total of 44 averages, while children from homes with 
poorer sanitation excelled in 28 averages. In general, therefore, 
the children who came from the homes with better sanitation excelled 
those who came from homes with poorer sanitation. It is, however, 
self-understood that the sanitation, with its results, is only one of 
the many elements involved hi explaining the differences. 

Intestinal infections. — The figures for whipworm infection are too 
small to warrant conclusions. 

No evidence was found that infection with Ascaris, Lamblia, or 
Endamseba coli had any material effect in retarding growth, but it 
should be recalled that the Ascaris infections were light. 

In children showing infection (light or rather light cases) with 
hookworms, the evidence is not striking, but it summarizes as follows: 



Below 
average. 



Above 
average. 



Standing height 
Sitting height.. 
Weight 

Total 



68 



Thus, in final score, the hookworm cases were below average hi 91 
markings and above the average in 68 markings. The conclusion 
appears, therefore, to be justified that, even in the light cases with 
which we were dealing, the infection had an appreciable effect on 
heights and weights. 

o 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



029 483 249 A 



Hollinger Corp. 



